Neo-evangelicalism, the charismatic movement, ecumenism

These critiques reveal more about fundamentalist concerns than about inherent problems with these movements.

Fundamentalist Objections and Their Basis

Fundamentalists view neo-evangelicalism as doctrinally orthodox yet ecumenically oriented, pursuing a strategy to penetrate liberal denominations by infiltrating with love rather than confronting doctrinal error directly.[1] Neo-evangelicals believe fundamentalists neglect Christian unity, while some fundamentalists suspect neo-evangelicals prioritize “unification and infiltration” over scriptural faithfulness in public witness.[2]

Regarding the charismatic movement, the criticism centers on its lack of deep theological grounding in biblical revelation and its tendency toward charismatic revelation and authority that competes with biblical teaching.[3] Both Catholic and Protestant leaders warn against the movement’s theological imprecision and vulnerability to subjectivism.[3]

Institutional ecumenism, represented by the World Council of Churches and National Council of Churches, has forfeited much enthusiasm and is in conspicuous disarray.[3] Fundamentalists object that the ecumenical movement emphasizes “what the Spirit is saying to the churches” rather than what Scripture says.[3]

The Real Issue

These critiques reflect a fundamental disagreement about theological method and priorities. Fundamentalists prioritize doctrinal precision and separation from error, while these movements emphasize Christian unity, experiential spirituality, or social engagement. Whether these represent genuine theological problems or simply different emphases depends on one’s own theological convictions—not on objective flaws inherent to the movements themselves.

[1] Miles J. Stanford, Complete Works of Miles J. Stanford (Galaxie Software, 2002). [See here.]
[2] Samuel H. Nafzger et al., eds., Confessing the Gospel: A Lutheran Approach to Systematic Theology (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2017), 950–951.
[3] Carl F. H. Henry, God, Revelation, and Authority (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999), 1:130–131, 4:500.